The CIA has a history of getting innovative in attempts to counter enemy propaganda.

In 2005, the intelligence agency began working on creating an "evil" Osama bin Laden action figure made from heat-dissolving material that would pull back to show a devilish red-face. The figurine's code name was, appropriately, "Devil Eyes," as The Washington Post revealed on Thursday.

The CIA partnered with Donald Levine, a Hasbro executive who passed away last month, to create the toy. The project didn't last long, however; the CIA said only three individual action figures were created, which were only meant as examples of what a final product could look like.

The Post explained that the goal of the toy was to spook children and their parents, causing them to "turn away from the actual bin Laden." Although the plan sounds unusual, the U.S. government has long conducted so-called "influence operations," which some might label as propaganda, to win the hearts and minds of people in enemy territories.

During the Cold War, the CIA used a wide array of techniques to undermine the Soviet Union, including magazines, pro-Western radio stations and books, including Doctor Zhivago, which was banned in the Soviet Union.

More recently, a report earlier this year revealed that U.S. officials feared the rise of a virtual bin Laden avatar, who they believed could recruit terrorists through games like Second Life and World of Warcraft. Documents leaked by Edward Snowden have suggested that the NSA has spied on online gaming players.

It's not just the CIA. The State Department has a Twitter account called Think Again Turn Away, which is designed to counter jihadist propaganda online. The account not only tries to bring down terrorists groups, but also replies directly to those posting tweets in favor of al-Qaeda or terrorism.

What's Hot

More in World

What's New

What's Rising

What's Hot

Mashable
is a leading source for news, information and resources for the Connected Generation. Mashable reports on the importance of digital innovation and how it empowers and inspires people around the world. Mashable's record 42 million unique visitors worldwide and 21 million social media followers are one of the most influential and engaged online communities. Founded in 2005, Mashable is headquartered in New York City with an office in San Francisco.